Sonarphone By Vexilar

[SmokenRT]

I tried to download the app but it's not in iOS Apple Store. I watched the video and it said that it wouldn't be complelety ready until this Dec. What are y'all's thoughts on this? This looks like it could be a Big Hit.

[buzzbait4me]

I just saw the video myself and i am very impressed. I cant wait to check them out when they become available in the winter. 

[prjavelin]

can this thing do down image kinda views and side imaging? if it can, I will buy one. If not ill buy if its not too expensive. 

[Wayne P.]

It may be an interesting product IF you have a mobile device that has a display you can see in bright sunlight.

[Megastink]

In still skeptical. You need a wifi connection; tough to come by on the water. Also, if its not accurate, you're out $150... I'll wait til spring and get some reviews.

[Kevin22]

It produces its own wi-fi connection. You will need a smartphone with wi-fi capability though. 

[Wayne P.]

In still skeptical. You need a wifi connection; tough to come by on the water. Also, if its not accurate, you're out $150... I'll wait til spring and get some reviews.

 

I get a wi-fi connection in my house from a wi-fi transmitter in my house.

The sonar does wi-fi and a smart phone does wi-fi, you would need a wi-fi capable tablet or computer to get the signal from the sonar unit.

wi-fi replaces a cable connection, it doesn't determine what the transmission is. 

 

If you don't have a smart phone or device that has wi-fi capability, you can't use the device.

[Wayne P.]

Additional note, Lowrance has the Go Free accessory that does the same thing.

Do a web search for it.

[Megastink]

BOOM! I stand corrected. I still want to see reviews for how accurate it is before I commit to buying it.

[DogBone_384]

I bought one for myself for Christmas and finally got out to throw it in a real pond. It appears to be legitimate. It creates it's own short distance WiFi network which my iPhone connected to easily. I cast as close to the ice's edge as I could and slowly reeled it back. Comparing it to a topographic map of the pond shows it to be accurate. It showed a water temperature of 33 degrees.

One the bass wake up I'll know for sure, but so far it seems to work well. Seeing as it's $85 to fill my truck, it's not expensive.

[Backwoodsbasser]

Which transducer did u get? Te medium priced one?

[CDobber]

I rechecked reviews from this spring yesterday and jumped in.  Bought the T Pod 100 transducer last night, it has not shipped yet.  I largely fish from shore, and while I know my technique still needs a lot of refining, I also want to better educate myself with underground structure, depths and even fish that come from the information, and I always have my android phone with me anyway.  I will gladly leave further reviews on the site after receiving it for those that are considering a similar purchase.

[CDobber]

1st review:  Came today via UPS, though never did receive an accompanying email with tracking number.  It took about 90 min (give or take) to charge to full from my computer USB.  Did the initial setup things from home using the wet paper towel trick I found with an online instruction manual....attached the pod to my snap swivel with a leader/double lock swivel and took the kids down to the local quarry.  I have read that the quarry has a max depth of 10', though I was getting readings closer to 13' from my initial cast points.  I marked a decent sized school of smaller fish (gills, probably) on my 2nd cast, all about 12' deep in a 13' area.  Bottom seemed very flat uniformly between all casting points, and felt accurate in the spots I could see bottom from shore.  

 

It did not do a great job of reading logs or other larger debris as I'd hoped (even shallow areas where I could clearly see a difference in depths) but likely have to adjust some settings.  I also need to look into what the different colorings for bottom structure refer to, though I did not see a huge difference and suspect most of it is either sand/muck or gravel remnants with plant life and dead leaves thrown in.

 

I was using my Shimano Compre rod tonight though I don't expect to use that one for this purpose often as the pod itself weighs 4 oz and my rod is only rated for 1-3 oz lures.  I had a good strong braid on the Symetre reel (both of which came from flea market on here).  it cast well without a lot of force, does make quite a splash down as expected, which one would think negatively affects fishing in the area shortly thereafter.  I didn't notice fish being displayed unless I left it for some time (10-30 sec minimum) and never upon retrieval.

 

More as I learn how to properly tweak/read the unit.  I should likely get a couple more days of trial before the opener on Saturday.